LAW ENFORCEMENT BODIES TRY TO DETAIN SARGIS HATSPANIAN

Noyan Tapan
Feb 28, 2008

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, NOYAN TAPAN. The representatives of law
enforcement bodies have tried to detain Sargis Hatspanian, a citizen of
France, who stopped the hunger strike on the eve, on the Freedom square
at about 11 o’clock on February 28. However, the attempt of the law
enforcement bodies have failed by the interference of Aram Manukian,
a member of the Armenian National Movement board, Grigor Haroutiunian,
the Secretary of the People’s Party of Armenia, and Mikael Danielian,
the Chairman of the Helsiniki association. The latters, as well
as Sargis Hatspanian, clarified to the representatives of the law
enforcement bodies that they have no such competences as in case of
implementing any action towards Sargis Hatspanian, who is a citizen
of France, they should first of all turn to the Embassy of France in
the Republic of Armenia.

It should be mentioned that Sargis Hatspanian had made a speech
in front of the supporters of Levon Ter-Petrosian gahtered on the
Freedom square before that and introduced his motivations for joining
the movement. He also stated that he has become aware of the fact
that the RA Police has plaaned his detention. In this respect Sargis
Hatspanian declared that he "was put into prison in France, Germany,
Turkey" for his position devoted to his nation "and is now ready to
be put to prison for the same position in Armenia as well."